25 May 2010

[Federal Register: May 25, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 100)]
[Notices]               
[Page 29308-29309]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my10-28]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2010-0004]

 
Availability of Compliance Guide for Mobile Slaughter Units

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability and opportunity for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
the availability of a compliance guide on mobile slaughter units. FSIS 
will post this compliance guide on its Significant Guidance Documents 
Web page http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Significant_Guidance/index.asp. FSIS 
encourages those who own or manage mobile slaughter units to avail 
themselves of this guidance document in meeting the pertinent 
regulatory requirements. FSIS is also soliciting comments on this 
compliance guide. The Agency will consider carefully all comments 
submitted and will revise the guide as warranted.

DATES: Submit written comments by July 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice and the compliance guidelines. Comments may be submitted by 
either of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to 
type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or 
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions at that site for submitting comments.
    Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROMs, and hand- or courier-
delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), FSIS, Room 2-2127, George Washington Carver Center, 5601 
Sunnyside Avenue, Mailstop 5474, Beltsville, MD 20705-5474.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the

[[Page 29309]]

Agency name and docket number FSIS-2010-0004. Comments received in 
response to this docket will be made available for public inspection 
and posted without change, including any personal information, to 
http://www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to background documents or to comments received, 
go to the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 8:30 
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark.Cutrufelli@fsis.usda.gov, phone: 
(770) 304-8919.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A mobile slaughter unit (MSU) is a self-contained slaughter 
facility that can travel from site to site. The MSU compliance guide is 
intended for owners and managers of a new or existing red meat or 
poultry mobile slaughter unit who want their business to come under 
Federal inspection and to operate in accordance with FSIS regulations. 
The document includes the procedures necessary to receive a Federal 
grant of inspection, unique concerns that may arise with mobile 
slaughter units, and links to regulatory requirements and resources.
    The meat and poultry industries have become increasingly 
consolidated, while consumer interest in locally grown and specialty 
products has continued to expand. MSUs can help producers meet consumer 
demand for locally grown and specialty products and can serve multiple 
small producers in areas where slaughter services might be unaffordable 
or otherwise unavailable. Therefore MSUs can help small producers 
expand their businesses and create wealth in rural communities.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web page located 
at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/2010_Notices_
Index/index.asp.
    FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, and other types of information 
that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and 
stakeholders. The Update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade groups, 
consumer interest groups, health professionals, and other individuals 
who have asked to be included. The Update is also available on the FSIS 
Web page. Through the Listserv and Web page, FSIS is able to provide 
information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, 
FSIS offers an electronic mail subscription service which provides 
automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and 
information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/
news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to 
export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers 
can add or delete subscriptions themselves, and have the option to 
password protect their accounts.

    Done at Washington, DC, on May 17, 2010.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-12510 Filed 5-24-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P